Log truckers halt deliveries to Canfor/LP's Peace Valley OSB mill in Fort St. John, British Columbia, in dispute over pay

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , November 8, 2011 (Forestweb) – Peace Valley OSB, a joint venture between Canfor Corp. and Louisiana-Pacific Corp. in Fort St. John, British Columbia, is the scene of a strike by logging truckers, according to a report by Energetic City.

The plant received no log delieveries on Monday, and no trucks are either entering or leaving the site, the report said. On Monday, around 65 trucks and their drivers took part in the strike while logging contractors negotiated with Canfor.

Logging truck owner/operator Kurt Halladay said drivers were tired of taking pay cuts over the last four years and were looking for an increase. "Nobody wants to be doing this, but we're tired of being strong-armed," he said.

Halladay said drivers made an average of C$140/hour, which he said was up to $80 less than the rate paid to oil field trucks drivers. According to Halladay, Canfor had suggested a pay cut of up to $9/hour, retroactive to Oct. 24, about two weeks ago.

Halladay said he hoped an agreement could be reached soon as the loggers want to return to work, and Canfor wants them back at work.

The primary source of this article is Energetic City, Fort St. John, British Columbia, on Nov. 7, 2011.

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